Your Own Garden Design

George W. Vanderbilt knew exactly how to design the ultimatelandscape at Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC—hire Frederick LawOlmsted, the father of landscape architecture in America to doit. While it’s unlikely that the average homeowner has theresources to hire one of the world’s best landscape designers tomakeover their front yard, it is possible to come up with abasic plan that will meet most needs.

When you begin planning your new landscape, you’ll want to beginby thinking about how the space is going to be used. Do you havechildren who need a play area? Do you have pets that mightdamage plants? Would you like to entertain outdoors? Once you’vedecided how you will primarily use the landscape, consider thebasic elements of landscape design and how they apply to yourneeds.

Balance – There are two types of balance—symmetrical andasymmetrical. If you choose symmetrical balance, each side ofyour landscape will basically reflect the other in shape, form,plant height, color, etc. An excellent example of this isBiltmore’s Walled Garden with its central arbor effectivelydividing the garden into two equal halves with matching beds andborders. Asymmetrical balance gives each side of the landscapethe same visual weight, but by using contrasting elements. Whileeach side will be different, they should “match” in the sensethat a group of trees on the left is balanced by a gazebo on theright or a curvy flower bed on one side is balanced by a walkwayand bench on the other. Stroll through the estate’s Shrub Gardenfor a good example of asymmetrical balance Color – Varying colorcombinations can be used to set the mood in your garden. Bright,fiery colors like red, yellow and orange make a garden seemlively and warm—or even hot. Cool or pale colors like green,blue, pink and white are more soothing and make a garden seemquieter and cooler. Dark plants or tree trunks work well asbackdrops to set off brighter colors. Use contrasting colors towork as a focal point to draw attention to a specific area.Unity – To create consistency throughout the landscape, repeatlike elements. These may be specific plants or plant groupings,colors or decorative pieces like statuary. Layering – Throughoutyour landscape, you’ll want to gradually move from one elementto another. Rather than planting a bed of pansies around thebase of a large tree—step down with smaller trees, then shrubs,then bedding plants with those pansies forming a border in frontof the full planting. Proportion – Make sure the plants andelements you choose suit the available space. If you have apostage stamp garden, don’t plant an oak tree and try to squeezein a pond. Select something delicate like a Japanese maple and asmall fountain. On the other hand, if you’re yard is currentlyan acre of grass, a 6’x6’ bed in the center will be completelylost.

Take the time to sketch out your plan on paper and start smallif you haven’t done this before. Get out that tape measure anduse a garden hose to mark off curved borders or walkways. Nowget out the garden magazines and catalogs and get creative. Youmight find it easier to get started if you pick a theme—maybespecific colors such as yellow, red and white or pick a shadycorner and focus on shade-loving plants or look for plants thatattract butterflies. Again, don’t forget the primary use of thisnew garden spot. If the kids will be romping through here withballs and Frisbees, some sturdy trees and shrubs might be abetter choice than a delicate flower garden. If you’re going tobe entertaining, think about including a patio, deck or othersurface that enhances the house and garden.

Once you have a pretty good idea of what you want, go to yourlocal garden center and ask for help selecting plants. They canalso look over your plan to make sure you aren’t planting a treethat will block a window or a shrub that’s going to overgrow theheat pump. Now get planting!

About the author: As Director of Horticulture at Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC,Parker Andes is responsible for maintaining the natural beautyof the 8,000-acre property and its historic authenticity. Aspecialist in woody and native plants, Andes holds a Bachelorsof Science in Horticulture from West Virginia University.

Parker Andes, Fri Dec 9th